THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BIRMINGHAM, England — Aston Villa captain Martin Laursen retired from soccer at age 31 on Friday after struggling with long-term knee injuries.
The Danish centre back said he decided to quit rather than have more surgery, which would have meant another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
"My decision was to retire because it would have been a very difficult and a big operation," he said. "At this point it’s better for my health, for my future life to say ‘That’s it.’
"It’s so strange, so weird. Half a year ago I was flying, in the best shape of my life, playing every game and really at the top of my game. I am sitting here five months later and I won’t be able to play football any more. I was really sad but I have had time to think about it."
Laursen was signed from AC Milan in 2004 but played only 28 times for Villa in his first three seasons in the Premier League, and the injury problems returned this term. He has played 53 times for Denmark but had already announced his international retirement.